Power conversion apparatus for utilizing the force of waves

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for utilizing the force of waves uses the tremendous inertia of falling water together with the constant rhythmic undulation effect of the surf to collect and pressurize water for subsequent release as a source of power. The collecting apparatus consists of a flexible pipe which includes funnels and check valves along its length. The funnels are held by flotation collars so that the faces of the funnel orifices are awash even in calm sea. The seaward end of the pipe is secured but with enough slack to provide movement with the undulation effect of the surf. The discharge end of the pipe empties into a reservoir where the water is pressurized and stored until it is used to drive a turbine, or the like.

United States Patent Lockhart July 29, 1975 [76] lnventor: David K. Lockhart, 805 Watts St.,

Durham, NC. 27701 [22] Filed: July 5, 1974 [21] App]. No.: 485,956

[52] US. Cl. 61/20 [51] Int. Cl. E02B 9/08 [58] Field of Search 61/20, 19; 290/53, 42; 417/333 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,073,214 9/1913 Carr 61/20 X R] 1,807 l/l900 Rogowski 61/20 Primary Examiner.lacob Shapiro [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for utilizing the force of waves uses the tremendous inertia of falling water together with the constant rhythmic undulation effect of the surf to collect and pressurize water for subsequent release as a source of power. The collecting apparatus consists of a flexible pipe which includes funnels and check valves along its length. The funnels are held by flotation collars so that the faces of the funnel orifices are awash even in calm sea. The seaward end of the pipe is secured but with enough slack to provide movement with the undulation effect of the surf. The discharge end of the pipe empties into a reservoir where the water is pressurized and stored until it is used to drive a turbine, or the like.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures INCOMlNG WAVES PATENTED JUL 2 91975 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates broadly to an apparatus for converting various sources of power to other forms of power and more specifically to apparatus for utilizing the energy of waves of the sea or ocean to raise water to a storage facility in which the water is held for use in powering a turbine, or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art is abundant with various types of apparatus designed to convert one source of power to another form of power. Representative prior art is found in US. Pat. Nos. 429,231; 430,790; 1,145,482; 1,306,974; 1,412,424 and 1,742,068. Most of the related prior art is complex, impractical and expensive to fabricate on a large scale. The present concern for energy conservation and more efficient ways for producing energy has pointed out the need to harness any available source of power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention resides around an apparatus for receiving sea or ocean water through the orifices and check valves of a predetermined number of Iongitudinally-spaced funnels mounted integrally with a flexible pipe and then directing the water through the flexible pipe and on into a reservoir for storage under pressure. The stored and pressurized water can then be fed out of the reservoir and directed to a turbine, or the like, for converting the wave force to another form of energy, e.g., electricity.

Advantages of this invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the appended drawings and claims. A preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the power conversion apparatus of the present invention for utilizing the force of waves to produce another useful form of en- FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of one of the funnels and associated check valves employed by this invention as it would be integrally mounted with a flexible pipe.

FIG. 3 is a section view of one of the funnels employed in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the power conversion apparatus 10 of the present invention. A flexible pipe 11, which in the preferred embodiment is approximately 10 inches inside diameter, has funnel members 12 mounted at predetermined points along its length. Also mounted at points substantially midway between each funnel 12 are check valves 13. The oceanward end of pipe 11 is secured to the ocean floor by a pair of cables, 14, 15, one on each side, with enough slack to provide movement with the undulation effect of the tide. Each funnel member 12 has secured to it a flotation member 18 which maintains the funnel members 12 so that the faces 17 of funnels 12 have their orifices 19 awash. even in a relatively calm ocean. The other end of pipe 11 extends out of the water and connects to the inlet 16 of a storage tank or reservoir 17. Reservoir 22 has an outlet tube 18 through which the stored and pressurized water can be discharged to a turbine or other suitable apparatus to generate a useable source of energy such as electricity.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view of the funnel member 12. The funnel members 12 are preferably made of some tough but light material such as of plastic or fiberglass composition. Face 17 of funnel 12 is designed to be 45 to horizontal as shown. This particular angle is preferred since it allows for easy and unobstructed entry of water fed by the waves and undulation effect of the tide. Funnel member 12 has an entry end 20 which receives the water from the previous funnel member 12 by way of pipe 11. Funnel member 12 also has an exit end 21 which either directs the water to another funnel member 12 through pipe 11 or directs the water from member 12 through pipe 11 and on into reservoir 22. The hollow neck portion 23 of funnel member 12 has a check valve 24 which allows entry of water through orifice 19 but prevents exit of water therefrom so that any water entering funnel member 12 through entry end 20 is not allowed to escape through orifice 19. The most oceanward funnel member 12 has its entry end capped off.

In operation, the incoming wave or undulation tide effect strikes funnel members 12 within their respective orifices 19. As water enters a member 12 and travels into its hollow neck portion 23, it is not permitted to exit by the same route due to its check valve 24. Each check valve 13 in pipe 11 serves to also prevent reversal of the water once it reaches that particular point. As each unit of water exists from funnel members 12 into pipe 11, each preceding unit of water is forced along within pipe 11 until it enters reservoir 22 through reservoir entry end 16 and builds up a pressurized volume of water. From this point, at the necessary time, the water is allowed to exit from reservoir 22 through exit 18 and pass to a suitable apparatus (not shown) to be used as a driving force therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for utilizing the force of waves comprising, in combination:

a. an elongated flexible pipe adapted for placing in the ocean with one discharge end on the shore and an oceanward end at a predetermined distance offshore,

b. cable means for anchoring the oceanward end of said pipe to the ocean floor;

c. a water receiving chamber on the shore having an inlet connected to said discharge end of the pipe and having an outlet for withdrawal of water;

d. a check valve connected to said inlet to prevent discharge of water therethrough from said chamber;

e. a plurality of funnel means spaced in series at predetermined points along the length of said pipe, said funnel means each having an orifice with its axis angled to face toward the incoming waves, a throat portion communicating with said orifice, an open conduit portion communicating with said throat portion at a point intermediate its length and a check valve in said throat portion. the ends of said conduit portion being connected to form a that under the force of incoming waves, moving water is collected through such funnel means by increments, transferred to said pipe and to said chamber to develop a pressurized storage of water therein available for withdrawal as desired through said chamber outlet as a source of energy.

2. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axes of said funnel means are oriented at 45. 

1. An apparatus for utilizing the force of waves comprising, in combination: a. an elongated flexible pipe adapted for placing in the ocean with one discharge end on the shore and an oceanward end at a predetermined distance offshore; b. cable means for anchoring the oceanward end of said pipe to the ocean floor; c. a water receiving chamber on the shore having an inlet connected to said discharge end of the pipe and having an outlet for withdrawal of water; d. a check valve connected to said inlet to prevent discharge of water therethrough from said chamber; e. a plurality of funnel means spaced in series at predetermined points along the length of said pipe, said funnel means each having an orifice with its axis angled to face toward the incoming waves, a throat portion communicating with said orifice, an open conduit portion communicating with said throat portion at a point intermediate its length and a check valve in said throat portion, the ends of said conduit portion being connected to form a continuation of said pipe at each location of said funnel means; f. flotation means connected to each said funnel means and being operative to maintain the same properly positioned with respect to said waves; and g. a plurality of check valves in said pipe, at least one of which is located on the shore side of each funnel means so as to allow flow along said pipe only in the direction of said chamber; said pipe, valves and funnel means being operative such that under the force of incoming waves, moving water is collected through such funnel means by increments, transferred to said pipe and to said chamber to dEvelop a pressurized storage of water therein available for withdrawal as desired through said chamber outlet as a source of energy.
 2. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axes of said funnel means are oriented at 45*. 